Feb 20, 2008 9:54 am US/Eastern
Castro's Impact On A South Florida Community
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Cuban Americans In South Florida
CBS
Many people of Miami have passed The Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami and not realize its place in history. As Ellis Island was the entry point for immigrants arriving in America from Europe in the early 20th century, The Freedom Tower was the focal point for many Cubans seeking freedom in the 1960s after Fidel Castro declared his control over the island.
South Florida then began to welcome even more people from other South and Latin American countries. Every other person is foreign born something not found anywhere else in the country.
Fifty years ago, South Floridians, primarily Jewish and Bohemians, called a certain stretch of street the Tamiami Trail. Now, it's known as Calle Ocho, the center of Cuban-American life.
The changes in South Florida are all because of a dictator named Fidel Castro. When he took office, 100,000 people fled, he aimed Soviet-made missiles at America, turned South Florida into a battle ready city.
Eventually, the Cuban-missile crisis ended, the threat of nuclear war subsided, the U.S. did not openly threaten to remove Fidel from power, and the Cold War was at its height.
It was a turning point in South Florida history.
"It really kind of dashed the hopes of a lot of Cubans here that we would help them overthrow Fidel Castro," said historian Paul George.
The exodus that ensued produced one new Cuban refugee in South Florida every 7 minutes. There were 300,000 refugees processed in the Old Miami news building between 1965 to 1973, that same building is now called The Freedom Tower.
In the 1980's, Castro opened the exile gates again, allowing anyone who wanted to leave Cuba the opportunity to leave from the Port of Mariel. Over 125,000 came, including 25,000 from Cuba's jails.
"It was a time of upheaval," added George. Miami was headlined a "paradise lost", at least, for awhile.
The next decade, the exodus continued in waves. The effect: Cuban people, Cuban businesses, and Cuban politicians became ever more prominent in America, all because of one man.
Historian George added, "The biggest effect or impact we've ever had in South Florida's history since the railroad in 1896 was the Castro takeover, because it sent to Miami and South Florida well over 800,000 Cuban refugees, probably closer to a million. And they have dramatically transformed this area culturally, business-wise, academically, you name it."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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